MERRIAM, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings retailer, today announced it
has begun the coworker recruitment process for its future Kansas
City-area store, opening Fall 2014 at the intersection of I-35 and
Johnson Drive in Merriam, KS. Candidates interested in working at the
future IKEA Merriam should look online (IKEA-USA.com)
for all available positions. Candidates without access to a computer are
encouraged to visit a local library for online computer access.

“We are thrilled to offer interested jobseekers diverse positions with
limitless opportunity at a global company,” said Rob Parsons, store
manager of the future IKEA Merriam. “At IKEA, we recognize that our
coworkers appreciate being able to do the things in life that bring
success and happiness. It also is as fun to work at IKEA as it is to
shop at IKEA.”

As IKEA Merriam progresses through the construction process, a variety
of positions are open to local residents. Prospective coworkers can
apply for the nearly 300 diverse positions as postings are available in:
home furnishings sales, interior design, customer service, safety and
security, cashier, facility management, receiving, stock replenishment
and warehouse. Also, setting itself apart from other local retailers,
IKEA Merriam will offer approximately 60 food service opportunities in
its Restaurant, Swedish Foodmarket, Café Bistro and coworker cafeteria.

Previously named in FORTUNE’s“100 Best Companies to Work
For” list, Working Mother magazine’s annual list of the “100 Best
Companies for Working Mothers”and Training magazine’s
annual “Top 100” ranking of companies that excel at human capital
development, IKEA places value and emphasis on coworkers’ personal lives
and the importance of a work/life balance.

Drawing from the company’s Swedish heritage, IKEA is committed to a
flexible workplace that provides opportunities to people from all life
situations. If a coworker needs to take time off to find a nursing home
for an aging parent, to be home with children or have flexible
scheduling to best juggle caring for a newborn, one can do so without
worrying about risking one’s career.

IKEA offers family-friendly initiatives and diverse workplace benefits
including full medical/dental insurance to coworkers working 20 hours or
more per week with eligibility for domestic partners and children. Other
benefits include: vacation, paid maternity/paternity leave and paid time
off for child adoption, tuition assistance, a bonus program, 401(k)
matching, a pension plan, professional development, training and
mentoring programs, free uniforms, and – of course – a discount on IKEA
purchases. The organization puts career opportunity into the hands of
the individual, encouraging coworkers to consider assignments within
different functions, at other IKEA stores or even in other countries.
IKEA prides itself on the fact that an opportunity at IKEA truly can
evolve into a career, and potentially can pave the way for a global
experience as well.

Under construction on 18.4 acres in Merriam, KS, the 359,000-square-foot
future IKEA Merriam and its approximately 1,200 parking spaces is
located along the eastern side of Interstate-35 and Johnson Drive, eight
miles southwest of Kansas City, Missouri. The store will feature nearly
10,000 exclusively designed items, 50 inspirational room-settings, three
model home interiors, a supervised children’s play area, and a 450-seat
restaurant serving Swedish specialties such as meatballs with
lingonberries and salmon plates, as well as American dishes. Other
family-friendly features include a ‘Children’s IKEA’ area in the
Showroom, baby care rooms, play areas throughout the store, and
preferred parking. IKEA Merriam also represents the region’s largest
geothermal project, consistent with the IKEA renewable energy presence
at its 90% of its U.S. locations.

Also, IKEA will generate significant tax revenue for state and local
governments. When IKEA Merriam opens in Fall 2014, the new store will
welcome the newly hired 300 coworkers to the IKEA family of more than
13,000 in the United States and 139,000 globally. Until IKEA Merriam
opens, customers can shop at the closest IKEA stores in Colorado,
Illinois, Minnesota, or Texas, or online at IKEA-USA.com.

Since its 1943 founding in Sweden, IKEA has offered home furnishings of
good design and function, at low prices so the majority of people can
afford them. There are currently more than 350 IKEA stores in 44
countries, including 38 in the U.S. IKEA has been ranked in FORTUNE’s
annual “100 Best Companies to Work For” list, Working Mother
magazine’s annual list of “100 Best Companies for Working Mothers” and
Training magazine’s annual “Top 100.” IKEA incorporates
sustainability into day-to-day business and supports initiatives that
benefit children and the environment. For more information, see IKEA-USA.com,
@IKEAUSANews,
@DesignByIKEA
or IKEAUSA on facebook,
youtube,
instagram
and pinterest.

Contacts

IKEAJoseph Roth, Expansion Public Affairs(610)
834-0180, x6500

Release Summary

IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings retailer, today announced it has begun the coworker recruitment process for its future Kansas City-area store, opening Fall 2014.